Hawthorne business helps people cook like the pros

Mother-daughter team Joan Baker and Elisabeth Dello Buono show off their homemade pasta at Signature Kitchens.

A local business is teaching people to cook like the pros.

Signature Kitchens recently announced its Chef Series, a unique approach to learning about cooking techniques in an intimate setting. Signature Kitchens, Inc. specializes in custom cabinetry design for residential and commercial applications.

"Not only do these events offer our surrounding community unique ideas for celebrating a birthday party, bachelorette party, or just a fun night out, they also present an opportunity to work one-on-one with a professional chef, learning new recipes in an intimate setting. Chef Series offers amateur cooks the value of a restaurant-quality dinner, in addition to a personal cooking lesson," said Jessica Dello Buono, Signature Kitchens designer and chef series coordinator.

The Chef Series features professional chefs, including Chef Dominique Payraudeau (originally from France) and Joel Shienzeit, who used to be the owner/chef of Joel’s Malibu Kitchen in Ridgewood.

"The Chef Series was born two years ago from our genuine appreciation for food, family and friends. Events feature professional chefs, specific themes and varying levels of involvement. Some events take the form of informative cooking demonstrations, while others are completely hands-on," explained Dello Buono.

Classes take place in a private kitchen showroom, located at 635 Lafayette Ave. in Hawthorne. Most classes range from eight to 12 people, with smaller groups allowing a greater level of participation. Classes run from three to four hours long. At the end of the class, guests enjoy a sit-down meal, paired with wine if they bring their own.

"Both chefs are very passionate about what they do and they want to share their passion for food and cooking with others. Chef Series at Signature Kitchens is a unique venue and provides an opportunity for them to spread their knowledge," Dello Buono explained.

Growing up in the central region of Berry, near Limoges, France, Payraudeau was first influenced by his grandmother, Adrienne, who worked at a very young age as a cook in the châteaux of a famille bourgeoise. At age 16, he apprenticed at Maxim’s in Paris. He also worked at Ledoyen on the Champs Elysees and also at the Hilton in Paris. He then moved to London, England, where he worked for a few years in various well-known restaurants and clubs. Fulfilling his dream to come to the United States, Payraudeau arrived in New York City in the mid-1970s. In January of 1990, he became the executive chef at La Reserve, New York, where he remained for 10 years enjoying his art of cooking. Following his ultimate dream, he opened his own restaurant Chez Dominique in Bergenfield in May of 2000.

Shienzeit started out in the restaurant business at the age of 14 working as a dishwasher in a local diner. Realizing he had a passion for the business, he went to the Culinary Institute of America. Working in California for six years, he began to learn how to infuse flavors, colors, textures and methods of preparation to create his own cuisine. He came back home to New Jersey with a vision, resulting in Joel's Malibu Kitchen. For 13 years, he was the driving force behind this very special place that so many people called home. After 13 years of pushing himself to the edge, he realized that a new path needed to be taken, which led him to teaching cooking classes to special needs children and young adults. He was also involved in the creation of Joel’s frozen dinners, some catering and cooking demonstrations, which brought him to Signature Kitchens, Inc.

All classes are BYOB and require advanced registration. Private events are available upon inquiry and allow for menu request or customization. Prices range from $35 to $65 a person, depending on the type of food that is made. Contact chefseries@gmail.com or call 973-427-7966 ext. 16.